Unhooking, Recording
& Recovery:

Keep them in the water

When the fish is quiet, remove the hook carefully and promptly with forceps.


It should be allowed to recover and returned in steady clean water, but not in a fast flow. Recovery may take some time.


If the fish is deep-hooked, particularly in the gills, snip the line close to the hook. This will cause less harm to the fish than removing the hook.


As an additional precaution, it is wise not to fish at all during extended periods of hot weather.

Photography

Keeping the fish in the water, support it gently under the belly and loosely hold the wrist of the tail.

Measuring

Do it in the water. Take a tape measure or use the butt section of your rod as an easy indicator.


Weight can be estimated from length. Fish should be measured from nose to the fork of the tail.

If you have a fish that does not recover, leave it in the river and report it as soon as practicable to:

Natural Resources Wales on

0300 065 3000

....or if you are England, to the Environment Agency on

0800 80 70 60.


Please remember to keep your fish in the water at all times.

Length/Weight Calculator for Welsh Salmon (based on Dee fish)

- Use the right tackle

- Plan ahead

- Play the fish firmly and use a suitable net

- Always keep them in the water